Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

Familiar footsteps could be heard from outside the corridor.

"...That's why I said, in that situation before, using Lightning Flash to rush in was the most reasonable approach!"

"Yes, yes!"

Ash's highly recognizable voice pierced through the air in the corridor.

"It's Ash and his friends back!"

Hanako exclaimed "Oh dear!" and started walking towards the door.

Seeing this, Blastoise, which was very alert, poked its head out from beside the sofa leg and quickly poked Shigeru's lower back with its claw.

"Click!"

"Oh! Auntie, I'll take care of it!"

Xiao Mao snapped out of his daze, took a step forward, and rushed to the door in three quick strides.

He opened the door.

Xiao Mao took a deep breath, adjusted his expression, and struck a pose again.

"Huh? Xiao Mao?"

Ash let out a surprised exclamation that he had expected.

"Hey~ Guess who it is..."

"Perfect! Blastoise, take this!"

"Ok?"

Before Xiao Mao could react, he saw Xiao Zhi carrying something in one hand.

It was handed directly to Blastoise.

Upon closer inspection, one can see the color of his hair, his expression, and the exhilarating look on his face, as if he had just finished a thrilling battle.

Isn't that the little green-haired guy from Padia?!

Didn't you show me this right away?

You...%3%%￥%##@!

275. There is only one answer left!

Xiao Mao gritted his teeth and ate the meal.

It wasn't that Hanako Daimaou's cooking was unpalatable; on the contrary, her culinary skills remained consistently excellent.

From chopping vegetables to cooking and plating, every step is executed with a precision that seems beyond human capabilities.

But those two people on the other side...

It made his stomach ache, especially seeing that green-haired girl!

Listening to the two chatting about today's battle, Xiao Mao, feeling utterly annoyed, pushed the plate forward and stood up.

"...I'm done eating!"

He politely said goodbye towards the kitchen.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Aunt Hanako. I'll make up for the gift next time... Goodbye for now!"

"Oh dear~ Shigeru's leaving so soon~" Hanako peeked out from the kitchen, wiping her hands. "Aren't you going to stay a little longer? My apple pie is almost done baking~"

Blastoise's ears immediately stood up, and its nose twitched slightly.

indeed!

A sweet aroma of butter and caramel wafted through the air!

Blastoise turned its head and looked at Gary.

Turtle thinks that sitting for a little longer isn't necessarily a bad thing!

After all, being able to eat apple pie made by Hanako Daimaou herself is something to brag about in the Blastoise clan!

Going back three generations in the family tree, there are only a handful of turtles who have ever tasted the dessert of the human demon king!

It's way better than being the best in Pallet Town!

Gary glared fiercely at Blastoise, then turned to Hanako with clear eyes and politely declined.

"No, Aunt Hanako, I have a match tomorrow, I need to go back and get myself ready!"

As he spoke, Xiao Mao emphasized the last few words, turned his head, and fixed his gaze precisely on Xiao Zhi.

Finally, he added a subtle remark, teasing Ash.

"We can't be like some people who are still playing haphazardly before the match..."

"Oh, I see."

Xiao Zhi, who doesn't feel pressured, nodded, indicating that he fully understood.

"Ash!"

"Um?"

Looking up, Ash was met with Gary's tightly clenched face.

"Listen to me carefully, I absolutely will not hold back in tomorrow's match!"

"Don't lose too badly, or you'll make TrueNewTown look bad!"

"Click~"

Blastoise nodded in agreement at the opportune moment.

Let me translate this for you.

In short, what the trainer meant was that you'd better bring out the stuff you've practiced with that green-haired girl over the past two days.

Otherwise he'll cause trouble.

"Huh? By the way, are you my opponent tomorrow, Shigeru?"

".......?!"

Xiao Mao's fingers froze in mid-air.

Ash, caught up in the heat of the moment and oblivious to the world around him, completely failed to notice that his Pokédex was out of power, and thus ended the match.

He even turned his head and gave everyone a look that seemed to seek confirmation.

"Yes, that's definitely true!"

After taking out her encyclopedia and looking it up, Lillie quietly added a comment from the side.

She swiped her finger across the screen twice, bringing up the battle schedule information, and turned to show it to Ash.

"That's really true!"

Ash leaned over to take a look at the Pokédex screen, blinked twice in surprise, and then looked up and gave Gary a thumbs up.

"But don't worry, Shigeru! I won't bring shame to Pallet Town!"

"These past few days... I've made great progress!"

Nemo nodded in agreement.

"It is indeed very big!"

She spoke with certainty, completely unaware that Xiao Mao's face had already turned red.

After all, Nemo and Ash are both the type to get straight to work the moment they open their eyes, plus Brock is there to act as a healer...

They fought fiercely, without any time to rest!

Ash's combat experience with the system has improved dramatically after Nemo's intensive training!

"Hmph! You better be!"

Shigeru snorted coldly, turned his head away, and refused to look at Ash's infuriating face.

He said goodbye to Hanako one last time and then left this place of sorrow.

"Click~"

With a disappointed look towards the kitchen one last time, Blastoise took a deep breath and then followed with heavy steps.

But it had only taken two steps when a call came from behind.

"Wait, Blastoise!"

"Kame?"

Blastoise stopped in its tracks, turned around to look at Ash who had spoken, its eyes filled with confusion.

Is there something you need?

Xiao Zhi had already darted into the kitchen, and after coming out, he took a few steps to the door, clutching something in his hand.

He shoved the thing into the Blastoise's two claws.

The sweet aroma of caramel and apple instantly wafted out from the gaps in the foil.

"I noticed you kept glancing towards the kitchen; you must not have eaten enough, right?"

"Here you go! It's freshly baked and still warm; you can eat it on the way!"

Touched, the tortoise gave Ash a thumbs-up.

Compared to some people...

That's so thoughtful!

Clutching the bag of apple pies, Blastoise turned and followed some people who had already reached the gate of the yard.

The door was closed.

"I have a feeling..."

Lillie, who was almost desensitized to Pikachu, held the mouse in her arms and blinked as she looked at the door panel.